varna
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Varna is a system of social classes in traditional Hindu society that divided people into hierarchical groups based on their occupation and birth, as described in ancient texts like the Manusmriti. It matters historically because this classification system profoundly shaped social roles, privileges, and restrictions in Hindu societies for centuries.
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Varna (Sanskrit: वर्ण, romanized: varṇa, Hindi pronunciation: ['ʋəɾɳə]) refers to a fourfold social classification described in Brahmanical texts. The four varnas described are Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. Classical texts such as Manusmriti, describe these varnas as part of a theoretical hierarchical classification, and prescribe their occupations, requirements and duties, or dharma.
This quadruple division is a form of social stratification, quite different from the more nuanced system of Jātis, which correspond to the term "caste".